Fruits of Labor from Upwork

Upwork will always be my favorite online freelancing platform. Though it is not my first work-at-home job, it is where I learned a lot and became a successful work-at-home mom (WAHM). I started working there when it was still called oDesk. Starting is never easy. I remembered receiving dozens of declined job applications every day for three months. That didn’t stop me. I applied like a maniac everyday instead. There are just a few Facebook support groups for those who would help you to start working at oDesk back then. Good thing Google is there and I befriended him. It was August 25, 2011 that I finally got my first contract and it was offered to me, I did not apply. I guess my cover letter really sucked. It is an hourly job that pays $1.67 per hour. The job title is WordPress Admin Expert. I told you on my first post that I blog during the ancient times (just kidding, I am not that old) and I used that to get a job in oDesk. I stopped applying for job offers that has the phrase Data Entry because I realized that most job hunters like me will get jobs like that because it is easy to do. If anybody can do it then it means there are more competitors too. I picked a niche which is WordPress, then put that on my profile. During 2011, there are only few contractors that knows WordPress. My first job is also data entry, just on a WordPress panel. Working for $1.67 an hour is really low. Also add the fact that the computer I was using is old, broken and infested with virus, it shuts down just like that, then I will have to restart it. It still does the job though, plus it isn’t mine, we just borrowed it from my mother in law so I should not complain. My husband also works at home and he earns from his websites from the advertisements from Google Adsense and others. It is not much, and we are just starting a family that is why we need to buy things for the house. I said, this is not enough so we tried harder. Fast forward, we were able to buy home appliances, we were able to pay for vaccinations of our kids, I was able to give birth on a private hospital, my daughter is studying at a private school, our new house is already work in progress, we were able to survive everyday, comfortably. That is because of Upwork. From $1.67 an hour I am now charging $22.22 per hour. We have regular clients who would recommend us to their friends. Clients keep on coming, we were able to gather enough direct clients. We do not need to search for them anymore. I am also thankful that my husband is very hard-working and focused on providing our family’s needs.

I learned the real meaning of the patience from that experience. Looking back, it makes me proud that we were able to get pass that stage. We want the best for our three girls, that is why we work hard.

What a journey! From $1.67 to $22.22, and I am sure as you continue to hone your craft, it goes up further. From what I have seen, Upwork might as well be created for Filipinos. I think after the BPO industry, there comes a time when working online becomes the second biggest industry in the country.

This is a cool story. Working online just won’t work for me. I tried once, set up everything, but nothing happened in a week, so I thought it’s not worth it. I’m glad working online works for you and your hubby! How does it fare when it comes to health? Do you have to stare on the screen for long hours? How demanding is it to work online from home?

Good thing I have flexible time. I can work anytime of the day as long as I finish my tasks before the deadline. I only work for 1-3 hours a day, that is why health is not an issue. During my first year, the job is really demanding as I am just trying to establish my profile.

I am trying my best to get some work from Upwork but so far no luck. It also kind of discourages me that they pay so low, especially to those who are just starting. Maybe it is also a pride thing because I’ve been working a write for more than a decade now. Hopefully, I’d land my first job at Upwork soon.

Wow! That is one hell of achievement. Congrats! I have tried Upwork/odesk but unlike you, i was discouraged from the rejections. Such an inspiring story though. Makes me want to try my luck again and not apply anymore to data entry or general writing jobs where I have lots of competition. hehe.

This is such an inspirational story. I, too, had tried my luck in Upwork but after 2 weeks I’d given up. I noticed as well that, in data entry, there are so many competitors with low bidding rates. Are you still doing data entry in WordPress or have you expanded your offered services?

Ohhh upwork is now the new name of odesk. I remember signing up to to this site and checking what’s going own. Then I forgot that I have an account here since I never get any job offer hahaha. Would love to check and who knows will get one 🙂